United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Acting United States Attorney Ellison C. Travis announced criminal charges against two defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud government benefit programs. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.

“We are taking significant strides in our ongoing battle against health care fraud within the Middle District of Louisiana. These fraudulent activities not only undermine the integrity of our health care system, but also jeopardize the well-being of countless patients who rely on these essential services, stated Acting U.S. Attorney Travis. “Our office is committed to holding accountable those who seek to exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain. This takedown is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of law enforcement partners, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure justice is served and integrity is restored in our health care system.”

“This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

The charges announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Ellison C. Travis are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets, and the Government, in connection with the Takedown, seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets.

The following individuals were charged in the Middle District of Louisiana:

• Cody Hulbert, 41, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and theft of government funds in connection with a scheme to submit fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) program, and unemployment insurance applications. As alleged in the indictment, Hulbert and her co-conspirators fraudulently obtained at least approximately $51,474 from the fraudulent PPP applications, sought at least approximately $12,391 from at least one fraudulent EIDL application, and obtained at least approximately $5,654 in unemployment insurance benefits.
• Britney McCoy, 31, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud and one count of making false statements in a loan and credit application in connection with a fraudulent PPP scheme. As alleged in the indictment, McCoy submitted and caused to be submitted false and fraudulent loan applications and other documents to lenders and others to obtain funds and loan forgiveness through the PPP. In total, McCoy fraudulently sought and obtained at least approximately $22,884 in PPP funds based on the false and fraudulent applications.

“The scale of today’s takedown is unprecedented, and so is the harm we’re confronting. Individuals who attempt to steal from the federal health care system and put vulnerable patients at risk will be held accountable,” said HHS-OIG Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins. “Our agents at HHS-OIG work relentlessly to detect, investigate, and dismantle these fraud schemes. We are proud to stand with our law enforcement partners in protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding patient care.”

“These charges, stemming from the meticulous work of DEA’s Baton Rouge District Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Louisiana, highlight our unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who illegally divert controlled substances,” said DEA New Orleans Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Arnett. “We stand united with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities and ensure justice for those who exploit programs designed for the most vulnerable.”

The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle, District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle, District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available at https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/2025-national-health-care-fraud-takedown

The Middle District of Louisiana, in particular, worked with the Department’s Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the enforcement period: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen L. Craig of the Middle District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Gary A. Crosby II of the Gulf Coast Strike Force.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.